Fellows gain robust experience in pediatric palliative care through our partnership with Children's Mercy Hospital (CMH). CMH became a KU fellowship partner in 2016 and graduated our first pediatric track fellow in 2017. CMH provides a robust experience for both our pediatric and adult fellows, providing support to infants, children, and adolescents with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses.

The Palliative Care Team (PaCT) at CMH started in 2003, making it one of the more established programs in the country. PaCT cares for patients with a wide variety of diagnoses and clinical circumstances in all areas of the hospital. A unique strength is our collaboration with the team from the Fetal Health Center providing perinatal palliative care experiences. 

While rotating at CMH, fellows will have the opportunity to work with a Hospice and Palliative Medicine pediatric-fellowship trained staff and an experienced pediatric interdisciplinary team including nursing support, child life specialist, social workers and chaplains. 

Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care (KCHPC) Carousel Team

The KCHPC Carousel Pediatric Hospice Team is an interdisciplinary team that provides outpatient hospice and home health services for pediatric patients in the Kansas City metro area. It is a part of Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care.

A wide range of diagnoses are present, including congenital anomalies with a terminal diagnoses, pediatric cancers, and sequelae from severe life-threatening traumatic injuries.

The fellow will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of social workers, chaplains, music therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, child-teen specialists and others. During the carousel portion of the block, the fellow gains in-depth exposure to acute pain and symptom management of the pediatric patient and education and counseling for pediatric patients and families dealing with end-of-life issues.